Outrage at 'heavy-handed' arrest of 12-year-old boy after police officer pins him to train station wall

'Shocking' footage showing a 12-year-old boy being pinned against a wall by an officer is being investigated by police.



The footage was taken at a North Tyneside Metro station on Sunday, and one witness has alleged it started when a group of youths threw snowballs.



Critics described the footage as "shocking" after it appeared on Facebook, Chronicle Live reports.



The first clip appears to show the officer speaking to the hooded youth by the station’s entrance, where the boy can be heard protesting his innocence. What appears to be a small fracas then follows.



It was taken at North Shields Metro station.



The eyewitness who filmed the incident at about 8.10pm, who does not wish to be named, uploaded the video to Facebook and believes the situation could have been dealt with “better”.



They said: “The whole situation could of been dealt in a better way. The child is 12, not a 21-year-old man.



“I’m 90% certain this started over the lad and his friends throwing snowballs, and it just so happens his friends got away.”



A Northumbria Police spokesperson confirmed the force is “looking into the circumstances around the arrest”.



They said: “A 12-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer in the execution of their duty.



“He has since been released under investigation and enquiries into that incident are ongoing. The force can also confirm we are looking into the circumstances around the arrest.”